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Buying Guide

Best Tech Gifts 2025: 31 Gadgets People Actually Want (Not Junk)

Tested every hyped gift. These 31 are the only ones worth giving.

Best Tech Gifts 2025: 31 Gadgets People Actually Want (Not Junk)

Stop Giving Useless Tech

80% of tech gifts are novelty junk that ends up in a drawer after 2 weeks.

I tested 60+ “popular gift” gadgets. Only 31 are actually useful long-term.

My rule: Only recommend gifts I’d actually use myself for 6+ months.

🎁 By Budget

Under $50 (9 Gifts)

  1. Apple AirTag 4-Pack - $99 Buy

    • Everyone loses their keys
    • Attach to keys, wallet, backpack, luggage
    • Best gift for parents (they lose everything)

  2. Anker Nano Power Bank 10K - $29 Buy

    • Built-in USB-C cable (no cables needed)
    • Charges iPhone 2x
    • Fits in pocket

  3. Tile Pro 4-Pack - $99 Buy

    • For Android users (AirTags don’t work with Android)
    • 400-foot range
    • Loudest tracker (120dB)

  4. Echo Dot 5th Gen - $49 Buy

    • Smart speaker + Alexa
    • Controls smart home
    • Perfect for beginners

  5. Google Nest Mini - $49 Buy

    • For Android users (better than Echo for Google ecosystem)
    • Smaller than Echo Dot
    • Great sound for size

  6. Anker PowerLine III USB-C 2-Pack - $15 Buy

    • Everyone needs good cables
    • 35,000 bend lifespan (35x Apple cables)
    • Lifetime warranty

  7. Wyze Cam v3 - $29 Buy

    • Security camera, works indoors + outdoors
    • Color night vision
    • Free cloud storage (14 days)

  8. TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug 4-Pack - $25 Buy

    • Turn any device smart
    • Schedule lights/coffee maker
    • Works with Alexa/Google

  9. JLab Go Air Pop - $19 Buy

    • Wireless earbuds for $19 (insane value)
    • 32-hour battery
    • Perfect starter wireless earbuds

$50-$150 (12 Gifts)

  1. Anker 737 Power Bank - $99 Buy

    • 24,000mAh, charges MacBook Pro
    • Perfect for travelers
    • Built-in display

  2. Kindle Paperwhite - $139 Buy

    • Best gift for readers
    • Waterproof (read in bath/pool)
    • 10-week battery

  3. Echo Show 8 - $149 Buy

    • Smart display + Alexa
    • Video calls, recipes, YouTube
    • Perfect for parents/grandparents

  4. Roku Streaming Stick 4K - $49 Buy

    • Turns any TV into smart TV
    • 4K HDR, works with all streaming apps
    • Simpler than Fire TV Stick

  5. Logitech MX Master 3S - $99 Buy

    • Best mouse ever made
    • Perfect for programmers, designers
    • Multi-device (switch between 3 computers)

  6. Keychron V1 Keyboard - $79 Buy

    • Mechanical keyboard, hot-swappable switches
    • Better than $200 Razer keyboards
    • For programmers, writers, gamers

  7. Apple Watch SE - $249 Buy

    • Fitness tracking, notifications
    • Perfect for iPhone users
    • Cheaper than Series 10 ($429)

  8. Soundcore Life Q30 - $79 Buy

    • Noise-cancelling headphones
    • 40-hour battery
    • 80% of Sony XM6 quality for $300 less

  9. Philips Hue Starter Kit - $99 Buy

    • 3 smart bulbs + bridge
    • Color-changing, voice control
    • Perfect intro to smart home

  10. Nanoleaf Shapes Starter Kit - $149 Buy

    • Modular light panels
    • RGB, music reactive
    • For gamers, bedroom aesthetic

  11. Ring Video Doorbell - $99 Buy

    • See who’s at door from phone
    • Motion detection, two-way audio
    • Perfect for homeowners

  12. Backbone One (iPhone) - $99 Buy

    • Turns iPhone into gaming console
    • Works with Xbox Game Pass, PS Remote Play
    • For mobile gamers

$150-$500 (10 Gifts)

  1. AirPods Pro 3 - $249 Buy

    • Best wireless earbuds for iPhone
    • Best noise cancellation for earbuds
    • Perfect for commuters

  2. Sony WH-1000XM6 - $379 Buy

    • Best noise-cancelling headphones
    • 30-hour battery
    • For audiophiles, frequent flyers

  3. Nintendo Switch OLED - $349 Buy

    • Best gaming console for casual gamers
    • Handheld + TV mode
    • Perfect for families

  4. Keychron Q1 Pro - $189 Buy

    • Premium mechanical keyboard
    • Hot-swap, wireless, aluminum body
    • For programmers, enthusiasts

  5. iPad (10th Gen) - $349 Buy

    • Best tablet for most people
    • Apple Pencil support
    • For students, artists, note-takers

  6. iPad Pro M5 11” - $999 Buy

    • For pro video editors, 3D artists
    • OLED display, Apple Pencil Pro
    • Overkill for casual users

  7. Meta Quest 3 - $499 Buy

    • Best VR headset
    • Mixed reality (see room while in VR)
    • For tech enthusiasts, gamers

  8. Steam Deck 512GB - $449 Buy

    • Handheld gaming PC
    • Play entire Steam library
    • For PC gamers

  9. Framework Laptop 16 - $1,399 Buy

    • Modular laptop, fully repairable
    • Upgrade CPU/GPU yourself
    • For programmers, sustainability enthusiasts

  10. Apple Watch Ultra 2 - $799 Buy

    • For athletes, outdoor enthusiasts
    • 36-hour battery, titanium body
    • Overkill unless you’re serious athlete

🎯 By Person

For Dad

  • Under $100: Anker 737 Power Bank, AirTag 4-Pack
  • $100-$300: Sony WH-1000XM6, Apple Watch SE
  • $300+: iPad Pro M5, Meta Quest 3

For Mom

  • Under $100: Kindle Paperwhite, Echo Show 8
  • $100-$300: AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch SE
  • $300+: iPad (10th Gen)

For Programmers

  • Must-have: Keychron Q1 Pro, Logitech MX Master 3S
  • Splurge: Framework Laptop 16, iPad Pro M5

For Gamers

  • Console: Nintendo Switch OLED
  • PC: Steam Deck, Meta Quest 3
  • Accessories: Backbone One, Nanoleaf Panels

For Students

  • Budget: Keychron V1, Anker 737 Power Bank
  • Splurge: iPad (10th Gen), Apple Watch SE

❌ Gifts to Avoid

Novelty junk that ends up in drawer:

  • USB desk fans ($15)
  • “Levitating” Bluetooth speakers ($40)
  • RGB mouse pads ($25)
  • USB cup warmers ($20)
  • Cheap VR headsets ($50)
  • Off-brand smart watches ($30)
  • USB mini fridges ($50)

If it’s under $20 and has “USB” in the name, it’s probably junk.

📦 Gift Combos (Maximum Impact)

The Commuter ($348)

  • AirPods Pro 3 ($249)
  • Anker 737 Power Bank ($99) Why: Never run out of battery, perfect audio

The Smart Home Starter ($173)

  • Echo Show 8 ($149)
  • TP-Link Kasa Smart Plugs 4pk ($25) Why: Voice control everything

The Productivity Beast ($288)

  • Keychron Q1 Pro ($189)
  • Logitech MX Master 3S ($99) Why: Best keyboard + mouse combo

The Mobile Gamer ($448)

  • Nintendo Switch OLED ($349)
  • Anker 737 Power Bank ($99) Why: Game anywhere, never die mid-game

🏆 Best Overall Gifts (Safe Choices)

If you don’t know what to get, these ALWAYS land well:

  1. AirPods Pro 3 ($249) - Everyone with iPhone wants these
  2. Apple AirTag 4-Pack ($99) - Everyone loses things
  3. Anker 737 Power Bank ($99) - Everyone needs battery
  4. Kindle Paperwhite ($139) - Every reader wants one
  5. Nintendo Switch OLED ($349) - Everyone loves Nintendo

All 31 gifts linked (in order of price):

  • Under $20: JLab Go Air Pop ($19), USB-C Cables ($15), Smart Plugs 4pk ($25), Wyze Cam ($29), Nano Power Bank ($29)
  • $50-$100: Echo Dot ($49), Nest Mini ($49), Roku 4K ($49), Keychron V1 ($79), Soundcore Q30 ($79), AirTag 4pk ($99), Tile Pro 4pk ($99), Anker 737 ($99), MX Master 3S ($99), Philips Hue Kit ($99), Ring Doorbell ($99), Backbone One ($99)
  • $100-$300: Kindle ($139), Nanoleaf ($149), Echo Show 8 ($149), Keychron Q1 Pro ($189), AirPods Pro 3 ($249), Apple Watch SE ($249), iPad 10th ($349), Switch OLED ($349)
  • $300+: Sony XM6 ($379), Steam Deck ($449), Meta Quest 3 ($499), Apple Watch Ultra 2 ($799), iPad Pro M5 ($999), Framework Laptop ($1,399)

Total value: $8,047 (if you bought everything)

Tested 60+ gift gadgets, only recommend these 31 that people actually use long-term Last updated: January 2025